Solomon Byrd Bio
Solomon Byrd (born December 1, 1999) is an American professional football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys and the USC Trojans and was selected by the Texans in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft. Standing 191 centimeters tall and listed at around 116 kilograms, Byrd brings a long, powerful frame to the defensive end position.
Early Life and Background
Solomon Byrd was born in Palmdale, California, USA, on December 1, 1999. He grew up in the same high-desert city and attended Knight High School, where he first developed into a promising defensive prospect. Coming from a family with clear football roots, Byrd was surrounded by the sport from an early age, which helped shape his competitive approach to the game.
At Knight High School, Byrd compiled strong defensive numbers across his career, including 155 tackles with 20.5 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and six forced fumbles. Those production totals drew attention from college programs and established him as a recruit to watch. After finishing his high school career, he decided to commit to the University of Wyoming to begin his college journey.
Path to American Football
Byrd’s route to the professional level began in the Mountain West Conference with the Wyoming Cowboys, where he quickly earned a role as a rotational pass rusher. During his first season in 2018, he logged five tackles while adjusting to the speed and physical demands of college football. As a sophomore in 2019, he produced a breakout campaign that announced his arrival on the national stage.
In 2019, Byrd recorded 45 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks, highlighted by a clutch late-game sack against Idaho and a 2.5-sack performance in a win over Tulsa. His production earned him FWAA Freshman All-American recognition. After opting out of the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned in 2021 to record 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks before entering the NCAA transfer portal.
Solomon Byrd Career
Early Career at Wyoming (2018–2021)
Byrd spent his first four college seasons with the Wyoming Cowboys, gradually increasing his responsibility on the defensive line. His 2019 breakout established him as one of the top young pass rushers in the Mountain West Conference, and his 2021 production showed sustained development before his decision to transfer. By the time he entered the transfer portal, Byrd had built a résumé that combined steady tackling with consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Following the 2021 season, Byrd initially committed to Georgia Tech before changing his decision and committing to the USC Trojans. His choice to join a Power Five program with national visibility set the stage for the next stage of his development.
USC Breakthrough (2022)
Byrd joined the USC Trojans for the 2022 season and quickly became a contributor on the defensive line. In his second game as a Trojan, he recorded two sacks in a win over Stanford, signaling his ability to produce against top competition. The following week, he made his first career start against Fresno State, finishing with four tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack that included a forced fumble and recovery.
Byrd closed the 2022 season with 28 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, a pass deflection, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. Those numbers helped anchor a USC defense that competed in one of the most competitive conferences in college football. His performance at USC convinced NFL scouts that he had the tools to compete at the next level.
Houston Texans Era (2024–Present)
Byrd was selected by the Houston Texans in the seventh round, 238th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft, marking his official arrival in the National Football League. He was waived on August 27, 2024, as part of final roster cuts and was re-signed to the team’s practice squad. On January 21, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans, keeping him in the organization.
On August 26, 2025, Byrd was again waived as part of final roster cuts before being re-signed to the Texans’ practice squad. On December 3, he was promoted to the active roster, giving him his first sustained opportunity on an NFL game-day lineup. His path from seventh-round pick to active-roster defender reflects the patience required to develop as a late-round defensive end.
Driving Style and Strengths
Byrd is known for his combination of length, leverage, and active hands at the line of scrimmage, traits that suit him well against both the run and the pass. His production at Wyoming and USC showed a consistent ability to disrupt opposing backfields, particularly as a situational pass rusher. As he continues to develop within the Texans’ defensive scheme, his frame and motor give him a clear foundation to build on.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Byrd’s multi-sack performance against Tulsa in 2019 and his forced-fumble-and-recovery play against Fresno State in 2022 stand out as defining highlights. His FWAA Freshman All-American honor in 2019 and his seventh-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft mark the two clearest milestones of his career so far.
Solomon Byrd Career Wins
As a defensive end, Solomon Byrd’s professional win totals are measured in individual production rather than championship counts. He has not yet been credited with a regular-season start at the NFL level beyond his December 2023 promotion to the Texans’ active roster. His résumé to this point is built on collegiate production, draft status, and ongoing development within the Houston Texans organization.
Collegiate Highlights
Across his time with the Wyoming Cowboys and the USC Trojans, Byrd consistently contributed as a pass rusher and run defender. His 2019 season at Wyoming, which included 6.5 sacks and FWAA Freshman All-American recognition, remains his most decorated collegiate campaign. His 2022 season at USC, highlighted by a four-sack effort across the year, showed that his production could translate to a Power Five conference.
Other Performances
At the high school level, Byrd totaled 16 sacks and six forced fumbles during his career at Knight High School, foreshadowing his disruptive profile as an upper-level defender. Those numbers helped him secure a scholarship to the University of Wyoming and launched his path toward professional football.
Solomon Byrd Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Solomon Byrd comes from a family with clear ties to professional football. His uncle, Manfred Moore, played in the NFL from 1974 to 1976 and won Super Bowl XI with the Oakland Raiders. Another uncle, Malcolm Moore, played in three games for the Los Angeles Rams during the 1987 NFL season.
Personal Life
Byrd was raised in Palmdale, California, and continues to be identified with that community as he pursues his NFL career. Public details about his personal relationships and family life beyond his football lineage are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
Solomon Byrd entered the 2025 league year with the Houston Texans after signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025. He was waived as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, before being re-signed to the Texans’ practice squad, keeping him within the organization throughout the preseason. His promotion to the active roster on December 3 signaled growing confidence from the Texans’ staff in his readiness to contribute on defense.
As a late-round developmental defensive end, Byrd’s 2025 storyline centers on earning a stable role on game days and showing that his collegiate pass-rushing skills can translate to NFL speed. His length, leverage, and motor remain his calling cards as he works within Houston’s defensive scheme. Continued reps on the active roster offer a clear opportunity to translate practice-squad growth into measurable production.
Looking ahead, Byrd’s outlook depends on staying healthy and refining his technique against the highest level of competition. With the Texans investing in his development through reserve and practice-squad deals, he has the organizational support needed to build a longer-term role. His combination of college production and family football pedigree gives him a credible path toward carving out a defensive end career in the NFL.